"Your royal highness, would you please leave the room for a moment?"
Kairan rose from the bed, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "Why?"
I turned my gaze away, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need to change into a different set of clothes. These are... covered in this black blood."
His eyes drifted to my white shirt, marred with dark, dried blood spots. After a moment's pause, he gave a small nod. "I'II wait outside."
He moved toward the door with the silent' grace that was so typical of him.
But as I glanced at the balcony, the memory of the creature's face flashed in my mind, and a shiver of fear gripped me.
No! No! can't be alone in here!
Without thinking, I reached out, my fingers wrapping around the sleeve of his shirt just as he was about to open the door.
"Don't leave... Please," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I don't want to be alone."
He hesitated, his brow furrowing slightly. "It wouldn't be proper for me to stay."
